Congratulations to Wisconsin Association of the Deaf and other advocates who worked to advance the passage of AB 250, which provides for a more appropriate scope of practice for sign language interpreters in the state, gives more protections for members of the Deaf community, and helps address the level of access. AB 250 also helps attract new and retain current sign language interpreters by increasing access to sign language interpreter licensure exams in Wisconsin. DRW…
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For information on DRW news, events, or press releases, please contact:
email media@drwi.org.
For information on DRW action alerts, public policy, or voting efforts, please contact:
Lisa Hassenstab at 608-308-2639 or lisah@drwi.org.
DRW Comments on Renewal of Family Care Waiver
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is planning to submit requests to renew the 1915(b) and 1915(c) Family Care waivers for the Family Care program to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). These waivers give Wisconsin options to provide Medicaid services in home and community-based settings and through managed care. Disability Rights Wisconsin has submitted comments to DHS regarding the proposed changes for the Family Care waiver. Read “DRW Comments on Renewal…
Voter Registration Video to Premier at Wisconsin Association of the Deaf Conference
Voter Registration Video to Premier at Wisconsin Association of the Deaf Conference The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition (WDVC), in partnership with Wisconsin Association of the Deaf (WAD), and with support of the Wisconsin Election Commission, is pleased to introduce a new video on voter registration, featuring deaf voters. The video will be premiered Saturday evening, June 22, at the 2019 WAD conference. WAD was a key partner in developing the video and WAD members Ron…
DRW Statement on the Budget Approved by Finance Committee
The Joint Committee on Finance has completed its work on the State Budget. Disability Rights Wisconsin has released a statement on the budget approved by the Joint Finance Committee, noting the positive investments for people with disabilities, and the missed opportunities to help people with disabilities to have healthy, active lives as contributing members of their communities. The budget now moves to the State Assembly and Senate for approval, with voting expected the week of…
Survival Coalition Call-in Days: State Budget
Survival Coalition Call-in Days: what to keep, change, and add to the state budget for people with disabilities The Joint Finance Committee has finished its work; the state budget must now be approved or amended further by the full State Senate and State Assembly. This is an important time to be in touch with your State Senator and Assembly Representative about your priorities for the state budget. Survival Coalition is hosting call-in days this Tuesday, Wednesday,…
DRW supports AB250 to improve ASL interpreter certification
On Tuesday, June 4, 2019, the Committee on Workforce Development will hold a hearing on AB 250—a bill to change and improve the certification of American Sign Language interpreters. The bill will create standards for interpreters in different technical situations that often require accurate interpretation of complex or sensitive information, such as legal, mental health and medical settings. Stakeholders have been deeply involved in the development of this bill. DRW submits testimony to support AB…
Assembly Committee Advances Voting Bill – AB168
On May 29th, AB 168 was passed unanimously by the Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections. Disability Rights Wisconsin supported this bill which would clarify the requirement for stating name and address prior to voting. Under the bill, if a voter is unable to state his or her name and address, the voter may present his or her identification to the election official. The election official, or another person selected by the voter, must…
DRW Disappointed with Joint Finance Committee Vote
On May 9th, the Joint Committee on Finance met for the first time to vote on the proposed 2019 – 2021 state budget. The Committee voted to remove Medicaid Expansion from the Governor’s Budget. The joint finance committee voted against it 11-4, along party lines. Disability Rights Wisconsin is disappointed by the Joint Finance Committee vote to remove Medicaid expansion from the Governor’s budget proposal. DRW has supported Medicaid expansion. Many people with disabilities, older…
Update on the State Budget and Medicaid Expansion
DRW has supported Medicaid expansion in the state budget, because it will benefit people with disabilities by providing access to critical services, helping to address the caregiver crisis and leveraging $1.6 billion in additional funding for vital services. Last night, the legislature’s budget writing committee announced they plan to remove Medicaid expansion from the budget; this removes the funding source for many investments that would positively impact people with disabilities and older adults. It is…
DRW Commends Signing of SB 19
Disability Rights Wisconsin commends the signing of SB 19 which removes offensive languages about Wisconsinites with intellectual disabilities from administrative rules. DRW Executive Director Lea Kitz attended the bill signing; SB 19 moved forward with unanimous support and is the very first bill signed by Governor Evers. DRW thanks Representative Jagler and Senator Fitzgerald for their leadership advancing this policy change, and thanks Governor Evers for signing SB 19 into law. We look forward to…
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